SRC-SEW H.B. 563 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 563
By: Madden (Shapiro)
State Affairs
5/11/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Over the past several years, there has been a decrease in the percentage of
registered voters casting votes. Accessibility to polling places and
cynicism about the election process are two possible reasons for the
decrease. In high growth areas, polling locations frequently change from
one election to the next. H.B. 563 attempts to ensure that all voters have
ready access to information about the locations of polling places. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 43, Election Code, by adding Subchapter C, as
follows: 

SUBCHAPTER C.  INFORMATION REGARDING LOCATION OF POLLING PLACE

Sec. 43.061.  NOTICE OF CHANGE OF LOCATION OF POLLING PLACE. (a) Provides
that this section applies only to a general or special election that is
ordered by the governor or the county judge. 

(b)  Requires the county clerk, if the location of a polling place changes
after notice of an election is given under Section 4.003, to give notice of
the change not later than the earlier of: 24 hours after the location is
changed; or 24 hours before the polls open on election day. 

  (c)  Sets forth requirements for the notice required by Subsection (b).

Sec. 43.062.  NOTICE AT PREVIOUS POLLING PLACE.  Requires the authority
responsible for giving notice of the election, if possible, and if the
location of the polling place for an election precinct is different from
the location used for the precinct in the preceding election ordered by the
same authority, to post notice at the entrance to the previous polling
place stating that the location has changed and providing the location of
the new polling place.  

Sec. 43.063.  USE OF COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION.  Requires an election
officer, in an election in which detailed poll location information is
available at a polling place through a computer, to provide that
information to assist voters in determining the correct polling place
location for the voter's election precinct.  

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 62.001, Election Code, to require the presiding
judge, if the polling place is left unattended at any time after the
preparations for voting begin, to take appropriate steps to provide for the
security of the polling place.  Provides that this subsection does not
affect the security requirements for a polling place after the polls open.  
  
SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2001.